Prevacid has been approved for over 12 years and has been prescribed millions of times. It has an established safety history.

It is used in the treatment of stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (backflow of acid into the canal to the stomach), and a condition called erosive esophagitis (severe inflammation of the canal). Most erosions heal in 4 to 8 weeks.

Prevacid can:

Help prevent the acid that causes heartburn pain
Provide heartburn relief for up to 24 hours
Heal damage to your esophagus
Stop the damage from coming back if maintenance therapy is prescribed

Prevacid is also prescribed to reduce the risk of stomach ulcers in people who develop this problem while taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Advil, Motrin, and Naprosyn.

Prevacid is also used for long-term treatment of certain diseases marked by excessive acid production, such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.